I've just been catching up with First Minister's Questions from yesterday, and I thought it was fascinating to see the effect of Nicola Sturgeon temporarily withholding the name of the vile Labour activist who had referred to the SNP as "fascist scum". Some people have suggested that Kezia Dugdale was lying when she claimed not to know his identity, but I think she genuinely hadn't made the connection at that point - she would never have offered a hostage to fortune by implying that disciplinary action might be taken if she'd realised she was talking about the inexplicably untouchable Ian Smart. I'm not quite sure how she would have talked her way out of the situation if Smart had been named up-front, but her inward reaction would have been : "Oh, that. That's just the Ian Smart thing. That Ian Smart does." It was probably a very useful exercise (for Kezia's spiritual development as much as anything) to separate out the Ian Smart thing from Ian Smart, and then to recognise the inescapable logic that it doesn't become any less despicable after you've found out that it was your friend Ian Smart who did it. The media pack may similarly be reflecting quietly on the rationality (or otherwise) of their long-standing belief that the simple fact of being Ian Smart grants an individual a broad exemption from the accepted principles of human morality.
I also thought it was rather amusing how Kezia begged Nicola Sturgeon to tell her the identity of the Labour culprit after First Minister's Questions was over. It seems that it's OK for Sturgeon to be expected to answer for "SNP wrongdoing" (which turned out to be no such thing) in public, but if it's a Labour wrongdoer, suddenly the plea is : for heaven's sake let's sort this out behind closed doors, like civilised people. Does Kezia think the public are too stupid to notice such a blindingly obvious double standard?
* * *
You've got to love Kenny "Devo or Death" Farquharson. He's been gradually coming to terms with the new political reality by telling himself stories about how the SNP are going to win a landslide, but everything will be all right for unionists anyway. A few weeks ago, he was trying to convince himself that the SNP would be powerless to act as kingmakers, because of some unwritten rule that he and Jim Murphy had just invented about the largest party having the moral right to form a government. When Blair McDougall asked him on Twitter whether Alex Salmond had accepted the 'rule', he hilariously replied : "Not yet". Apparently it's only ever a matter of time before everyone else falls into line with our Kenny's way of thinking!
Now he's moved on to acknowledging that Labour may well govern with SNP support, but is comforting himself with the thought that this will somehow transform the SNP into "Brits" and make independence less likely. Hmmm. I don't want to ruin your breakfast, Kenny, but it's just possible that the SNP could win a landslide without it being a triumph for unionism in disguise. Stranger things have happened.
* * *
Spare a thought for right-wing historian Andrew Roberts, who told the This Week programme that the massed ranks of Conservative supporters in Scotland were making nationalism look popular by voting tactically for the SNP to stop Labour being the largest party. The poor chap seemed to be serious.
Ref Farquarson's piece, it reminded me (obliquely, and frankly I don't really know why) of that bit in The Life of Brian where the crowd are are shouting "The Messiah, The Messiah..." and Brian says "I'm NOT The Messiah!". Someone in the crowd then says "only the true Messiah denies His divinity..." That :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you should say that, because the outrage over an SNP candidate quoting someone else using the word "Quisling" reminded me of the "even if he did say Jehovah!" scene in Life of Brian.
DeleteI don't feel any need to love Kenny Farquharson. Perhaps I lack empathy?
ReplyDeleteI don't obviously know the guy personally and I'm sure he's a decent enough chap but I genuinely find that Kenny Farquharson's decrees about politics hilarious. It was one of the highlights of getting twitter for me. Some guy I'd never heard of would every now and again proclaim what the situation WAS not what he THOUGHT it was. It's the sheer doubtlessness of mind.
ReplyDeleteThe takedown of Kezia on W o S is a thing of beauty. Apart from here (sook!), I have rarely seen such outstanding work.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed. Kezia Dugdale did not know what had metaphorically hit her, it was a classic counter punch by Nicola Sturgeon. Dugdale knows when she has been Sturgeonated!
DeleteThe problem being that most don't watch FMQ's, and still get their information from the Mail, Express, and Record.
DeletePretty much every genocide or persecution of the last 150 years has been led by the relevant 'national' media - acting with or for those in authority.
Codependent relationships are a type of dysfunctional helping relationship where one person supports or enables another person’s addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement. Sound familiar, Kenny?
ReplyDeleteWhile Nicola/Wings and yourself have uncovered the truth. Once the damage is done it's too late. The Daily Fail had their headline printed last night and that's what people will remember. This is McTernan's tactic drop a bomb and run.
ReplyDeleteHopefully like the Mhairi Black smear campaign it will have the opposite effect. They had to make up a story on Sturgeon and it backfired. If anyone from Labour is reading this. Please take a good look at what you have become. It's nothing to be proud of and being associated with Ian Nutcase Smart is just beyond comprehension. Do you really want it to end this way. Have some gumption and walk away from this poison.
Some people on the Yes side do not like it for understandable reasons, but the SNP have to be whiter than white. It is just a reality of the political environment we are in. Of course, the MSM will ignore as much as possible Dugdale's inept, shambolic display yesterday. If we operated on a level playing field, SLAB would have be held accountable for Ian Smart's bizarre barking at the moon episodes.
DeleteI see Neil Hay is now being described as an internet troll by the MSM. That is the kind of people we are dealing with. Both the MSM and the unionist parties will twist fairly innocuous things, and when they do find nothing, then they try and smear SNP figures (Sturgeon over the Daily Telegraph).
When people unleash tactical voting they have no guarantee where it will end up. I'm sure there a number of tories who hate Labour more than they value the union. Just as there are a large number of Labour supporters for whom beating the tories is more important than the union, so they feel quite happy voting for the SNP.
ReplyDeleteJames Coleman
ReplyDeleteDon't know what version of FMQs you were watching but NS named Ian Martin during FMQs when she and Dugdale were debating latter's nonsense. The latter was left stunned.
It was Ian Smart not Ian Martin.
DeleteThe point is she didn't name him immediately but let Dugdale commit to some sort of disciplinary action against the un-named offender first. Dugdale was then completely wrong footed when her friend Smart was revealed as the troll in question.
DeleteAgreed. NS set the trap, and Dugdale blindly steamed into. I think it is almost certain that the SNP have been monitoring Ian Smart's Tweets, and holding back all his bile in preparation for SLAB to charge into the abuse issue. It was brilliantly done by Sturgeon. Dugdale's face at FMQs said it all.
DeleteJames Coleman
DeleteThanks Muttley There are nasty Martin(s) and Smarts around I get confused
Isn't there a very obvious point to be made here?
ReplyDeleteWhy does the Presiding Officer allow these questions to be asked? They are nothing to do with the business of government and everything to do with party political posturing.
Someone needs to have a word with the PO because it is utterly demeaning for our parliament to be used for such tawdry purposes.
That's a good point.
DeleteAs I understand the rules, Kezia Dugdale's question should technically have been ruled out of order. It would have been OK if she had been calling for the sacking of an SNP minister at Holyrood, but Nicola Sturgeon's responsibility as SNP leader for candidates standing for another parliament has nothing to do with her responsibilities as First Minister.
DeleteThat said, it's scarcely the first time a Presiding Officer has allowed an opposition leader some latitude.
Precisely the point James - it happens all the time.
DeleteI feel a bit uneasy over trolling though. Especially anonymous. At least Ian Smart put his own name to his tweets.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, his words were far more offensive.
Trolling is nothing to do with insulting people. And people with unique names and who work for local government have less right to speak out if there is no anonymity.
DeleteWhich is the reason that the tru-Fascists want real people to be denied their voice.
The best thing about Ian Smart is his sensible brother.
ReplyDeleteIt's just Ian being Ian. His tweets can be a little intemperate at times, but what can you do?
ReplyDeleteBut if it's not on Distorting Scotland, it never happened
ReplyDeleteYes very true all questions in FMQ's are vetted. Surely Dugdale would not have thought Sturgeon would come into the chamber unarmed!
ReplyDeleteSturgeon was ready and destroyed her.
The real worry for all of us is who's next! Who has McTernan been trolling, aided and abetted by the 4th estate. It's the 45% against the press in this election.
His most cringe worthy blog was when he seemed to be seeking the readers permission to commit adultery because his wife was ill.
ReplyDeleteI was gobsmacked, and can only assume it was written around 3am.
Latest Populus subpoll not so good I'm getting jitters again, James reassure me!
ReplyDeleteIf it makes you feel any better, YouGov was all very much the same. Subsamples can be volatile.
DeleteNo need for concern. This wasn't a normal populus, but one they seem to do occasionally where they ask a whole lot of demographic questions. I think this might be down to them sampling a lot of recent new panel additions. When this happens anyway, results are much more volatile, particularly in the subsamples. Lower SNP than normal is also very common.
DeleteAs Stoat says, Yougov samples remain steady as she goes. Also, in general I've seen an uptick for SNP in subsamples globally if anything.
I wouldn't worry an Ashcroft poll had 56% SNP last week.
DeleteAnd my friend who's a dab hand on Twitter had been chatting with a Daily Record journo who told him "Most likely on Thursday" regards a Survation poll, well it's near Saturday AM and still no poll.
I think that tells us all (for now) and speaks volumes. They've either ditched their monthly polls, binned it due to bad news, or saving it up til next week?
They haven't binned it for bad news - even the Record don't do that sort of thing. They've probably postponed the fieldwork so that the results can have more impact closer to polling day.
DeleteOk, if 'trolls' etc are a problem for Labour and the MSM, I'm sure they will back a campaign started by Scot goes Pop, to make sure that any on-line activity paid for by Westminster or any political party, will be clearly identified!
ReplyDeleteNo one pretending to be anonymous or concerned citizens, with perhaps an indicator clearly marking out a commenter as someone who is a paid promoter of one sides agenda.
Will Labour support this? will the MSM? will Westminster?
Or are they just a bunch of hypocrites?
answer not required.
Only if we can also have a ban on anonymous commenters screeching "Concern troll!" at anyone who doesn't share their anorexically narrow view of how indy can best be achieved.
DeleteWe've had our fair share of real concern trolls, though, particularly in the run-up to the referendum.
DeleteSean, you sound like a right stupid cnut.
DeleteThis election isn't about independence, but I'm sure you already knew that.
Genuine LOL.
Delete"SCOT goes POP! A pro-independence blog by James Kelly"
Guess what Sean,
DeleteI AM NOT JAMES KELLY and it was my comment you responded to.
Groan.
DeleteWell, if we must plough through this internetty pish...
Nobody said you were James Kelly. Nobody said anything about you whatsoever. My comment followed yours due to the subject of anonymous commenters. No other reason. It was not directed *at* you. Nor was my quoting of this blog's strapline. You are of no interest to me, Patrick.
Independence is central to this blog and in my view to this GE. Got that?
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday.
Yours in indy, etc.
No Polling is central to this blog and the SNP have made it clear this election has nothing to do with independence.
DeletePerhaps your tinfoil hat belief has caused the confusion, and btw it's Saturday.
"I also thought it was rather amusing how Kezia begged Nicola Sturgeon to tell her the identity of the Labour culprit after First Minister's Questions was over. It seems that it's OK for Sturgeon to be expected to answer for "SNP wrongdoing" (which turned out to be no such thing) in public, but if it's a Labour wrongdoer, suddenly the plea is : for heaven's sake let's sort this out behind closed doors, like civilised people. Does Kezia think the public are too stupid to notice such a blindingly obvious double standard?"
ReplyDeleteShe didn't "beg" to have it disclosed behind closed doors and it was Sturgeon who neglected to mention him by name, even though she could have easily done so. Dugdale said something along the lines of "if the First Minister discusses it with me afterwards I'll make sure we treat it seriously" which is hardly much of a basis for launching into the odd rant you've posted above.
And where on earth are you getting this idea that what Hay wrote (and apologised for) "turned out" not be an example of SNP wrongdoing? Hay apologised for it, Sturgeon agreed that he should have apologised for it, yet in your universe he seemingly did nothing wrong.
"She didn't "beg" to have it disclosed behind closed doors"
DeleteHmmm. For someone who calls himself "BS Detector" you do a fine line in hair-splitting.
In what sense are you disputing the fact that Hay's actions turned out to be no big deal? The tweet about the elderly was an unwise joke, but was only very mildly offensive, and the thing about "Quislings" was a cynical fabrication of the press and Labour (possibly acting in tandem). I'm aware of the fact that Sturgeon condemned Hay - what I'm less sure of is why? Perhaps you can enlighten me.
here is an interesting article on Ian Smart by his brother...
Deletehttp://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/08/01/my-brother-ian-smart-tie-to-act-johann/
If only Johann has thrown him out last year...
Still there is always hope for Jim and Kez to act now!
So if Kezia was being honest and not just BS'ng, she would have treated the Ian Smart tweets very seriously and ...
Deleteand...
and...
NOTHING!
So if BS concerns you, speak to Kezia.
For the benefit of the dimwitted troll (who amusingly seems to believe everything Dugdale and the idiot tabloids say) we already know Dugdale lied about what Hay said.
ReplyDeletehttp://wingsoverscotland.com/a-serious-case-of-hypocrisy/
http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-end-of-excuses/
We also know that she's doing nothing whatsoever about the lunatic Ian Smart so bang goes that excuse.
Meanwhile in the real world, the campaigning on the ground is unprecedented on our side. It is far, far beyond anything we have ever done before for a GE. We are also getting more and more feedback from the public that the lies and smears from the tabloids, tories and red tories is having precisely the effect we always thought it would. It's getting our vote out and more determined than ever to tell the out of touch westminster establishment parties precisely where to go.
Speaking of which, it seems the cowardly twit Cameron is now trying to portray Salmond as a pickpocket. Yes, really! He's just that desperate and the tory campaign is in that much of a shambles. LOL For the benefit of those with a short memory Salmond was far more popular than the coward Cameron ever was or indeed is. It's also a pretty fucking bold move for an out of touch twit who has a close friend and spindoctor just out of prison and who WILL be facing Perjury trial soon enough for something he did while in Cameron's employ. Looking forward to that one are you Mr 'Law and Order'?
*chortle*
Apart from anything else you would have to be barking mad to think it's even working since the twits have been whining about the SNP since before the first debate yet where on earth is that tory surge? It's almost as elusive as the scottish tory surge has always been. :-D
It's also, vastly amusing to see the incompetent fop Cameron testing the gullibility of his own backbenchers and supporters yet again as he tries to bang on about EV4EL. Luckily for him they really are that stupid and gullible as it somehow hasn't dawned on them that the coward Cameron had a manifesto commitment in 2010 for EV4EL and despite having the McKay commission report on it he did absolutely nothing to make it happen. The lib dems had the same commitment in their manifesto so it's not as if he can use the excuse that they stopped him. They also didn't need to as Cameron just swept the issue under the carpet in fear of his own backbenchers. (as usual)
At least it will give them something else to fight over when the inevitable and looming Europe split tears the tories apart. Happy days ahead for the twits. What with them and 'scottish' Labour heading for endless infighting and acrimony it's going to be a hugely enjoyable year. ;-)
Mick,
DeleteI have always wondered how Cameron would have faired in the upper class twit of the year show?
He probably would not have turned up.
Enjoy...
http://youtu.be/imWlSMgMFGE
Survation poll out this evening. Conducted during Edin South smeargate!
ReplyDeleteI presume it's a UK wide poll? Because I haven't heard of a Scottish poll announced.
DeleteWhile I'm here.
ReplyDeleteSamuel Johnson stated that "FALSE patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."
Key being, "FALSE".
It's quite a short sentence so why do so many people get the quote wrong?
What were the results of the last Survation poll please James.
ReplyDeleteLast survation..
ReplyDeletehttp://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/snp-surge-to-21-lead-in-super-second.html
Thanks smerral!
ReplyDeleteAnon: I believe Johnson did indeed say "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel". Boswell, did however, point out that Johnson did mean false patriotism and wasn't condemning patriotism per se. Another comment on the subject by Johnson is perhaps more apt:
ReplyDelete"Let us take a patriot, where we can meet him; and, that we may not flatter ourselves by false appearances, distinguish those marks which are certain, from those which may deceive; for a man may have the external appearance of a patriot, without the constituent qualities; as false coins have often lustre, though they want weight."
Certain individuals spring to mind.
That's the point. People pretending to care about their country in order to rouse the masses when they really couldn't give a flying gonad.
DeleteIt doesn't matter who said it originally. As far as the population of planet Earth are concerned it was the fat english twonk and not his lickspittle.
I can't find any reference to a Scottish Survation poll that's due tonight? There's a Britain-wide one coming out.
ReplyDeleteYeh that was the one I meant. I thought it might have a separate Scottish sample.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile in a Galaxy far, far away. But not quite far enough.....
ReplyDeleteInteresting your observation on Jo Swinson. The sheer virulence of the nationalist campaign against her is astonishing. This is what some particularly malignant individual tweeted about this likeable and hard working young mother in reaction to a piece written by Isabel Hardman about the constituency.
"Jo Swinson is, without any doubt, one of the most reprehensible characters I've laid eyes upon"
No wonder Clegg will have no truck with these extremists..
They really are insane. Just because YOU want to have sex with the candidate doesn't mean she's popular with anybody else. See also Diane James.
I've read your comment about five times now, and I still haven't got a sodding clue what you're talking about.
DeleteWho's wanting to have sex with whom now?
DeleteEh?
DeleteJo Swinson? The latest Ashcroft polls show Jo losing her seat, and she has been mostly anonymous since winning the seat, so why anyone would find her 'reprehensible' is beyond me, but 'the most reprehensible character' is stretching credibility way beyond breaking point.
As for having sex with her? and who do you mean by Clegg and the extremists he isn't having any truck with?
Did you have one to many before you posted? just asking like!
Jo Swinson is a decent enough person but she has let the desire to gain and retain power go to her head. Some of the things she has said during hustings in East Dunbartonshire have been pretty abysmal - claiming that she could vote for tuition fees because it wasn't on her leaflets - and she has been pushing cancer scare stories to try and keep out the SNP.
DeleteAbove and beyond all this she has been largely absent from the constituency over the past five years and her campaign has been massively out of touch. Her opening salvos were glossy "Hello!" type magazines with pictures of her and babies proclaiming she was "The Talk of the Town". No, you aren't Jo. And if you are now it isn't for positive reasons.
On a personal level I can't support her as my contact directed towards her over support for equality campaigns has gone unanswered and that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth seeing as she is so keen to get a Pink News article and make it seem like she cares.
A final little bit of advice - you might want to get that repressed sexual tension looked at honey.
@Anonymous troll
ReplyDeleteYou are lumping all of the people in the SNP because of some nasty messages on social media. That tells me that you are a complete moron. I actually commented on Jo Swinson a few weeks ago, wondering if she would stand for the Scottish Parliament if she gets beaten in a few weeks by the SNP.
What about all the Brit nat abuse that gets showered on Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond? Does that not count in your eyes? Does all the fascist/Nazi comparisons by extreme Brit nats against the SNP not strike you as worthy of comment? FFS people have sent to prison for threatening Salmond.
I hope Swinson does stand for Holyrood - she could possibly get in on the list. She was a fine MP when she was in opposition but the coalition seems to have torn her away from her principles. Perhaps being in Holyrood might allow her to rediscover how her constituents actually want to be represented.
DeleteWho's Jo Swinson?
ReplyDeleteI have also heard that there was going to be a Survation Scottish poll tonight. Not heard any confirmation though.
ReplyDeleteA guy stopped at our street stall in Carlops this morning, and mentioned he worked for a polling company. He didn't say which. He did say there was a new Scotland-wide poll being sat on at the moment to come out at the beginning of the week that showed further improvement for the SNP. He hinted at a 2-point rise. Not knowing which company, can;t say 2-point rise on what.
ReplyDeleteIf your 'guy' is right Rolfe, I wonder if we will see an 'extra special smear' of some sort coming out, on the day when this poll comes out, just to try and deflect from the impact of a further rise for the SNP?
ReplyDeleteIf I was to hazard a guess, I'd say it's the Daily record poll that was meant to be out on Thursday, so they will be digging up some dastardly 'doll hair cutting' story from when Nicola was 8 years old or something.
Oh did our new anonymous troll perhaps jump the shark, and it's some cybernat threatening to have sex with Jo Swinson smear?
ReplyDeleteWe all know how they love a 'young woman threatened' smear.
A street stall in carlops? It only has one street! And any stall there is likely to cause a traffic accident on the a702!
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, we had a street stall in Carlops this morning, after lurking in the coffee morning in the church until the snow stopped (and being served coffee by a member of WFI as it happens). Here, on the grass in front of the wooden bench.
ReplyDeletehttps://goo.gl/maps/v6Z7K
Excellent response, many people coming up for a chat (many for Carlops that is) on their way too and from the monthly market that was being held in the village hall at the same time. (We're clever that way.) The only danger to the A702 was the large number of motorists who took the time to toot and wave their support as they passed.
Someone took some photos, if you remain incredulous.
I recall someone describing Carlops as "the village you can drive through while holding your breath". I can confirm this is true, even if you obey the speed limit.
DeleteLatest Survation UK fairly run of the mill. I get 51% SNP / 26% Lab on the average of the two ways of asking (straight vs constituency) from the Scottish subsample.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Ian Smart, his Twitter feed is fantastic fun right now.
ReplyDeleteWent and had a look Stoat,
DeleteIf Kezia doesn't condemn him now, she will be left looking like a complete hypocrite.
Latest @Panelbase Scotland poll for the Sunday Times
ReplyDeleteSNP 48 (+3) Lab 27 (-2) Con 16 (+2) LD 4 (nc) UKIP 3 (-1) Greens 2 (nc)
Is this a full poll or just another sub sample? I cant get the link working.
That's a full poll. It was commented on here last week that by at least two people that they were completing a Panelbase poll with general election VI and independence VI.
DeleteFurther confirmation that there has been an increase in the SNP lead v Labour of ~6 points since the start of the campaign. YouGov found that and the most recent set of Ashcroft polls was the best (for the SNP) of the three he has done.